Lakewood, Colorado Real Estate and Relocation Information

Lakewood, just 15 minutes from Downtown and 45 minutes from Denver International Airport, has its roots in the late 1800s as a summer retreat from the bustle of the city. W. A. H. Loveland, President of the Colorado Central Railroad, wanted a place to retire where he could enjoy a leisurely lifestyle. Loveland and Charles Welch established the community.

In 1941 during the Second World War Remington Arms built a large munitions facility employing 22,000 people, which is now the Denver Federal Center, one of the largest federal facilities in the country. Another transformation will occur at the property when St. Anthony’s Hospital moves its campus from further east. A future light rail station at the Federal Center will allow for easy transportation from Lakewood to Golden, to downtown Denver, and to the Denver Tech Center.

The city wasn’t incorporated until 1969, and in 1970 when the police force was commissioned the uniforms consisted of navy blue blazers, a light blue shirt, and gray slacks, and the officers were called agents. It was the one of first police departments in the country to require a four-year degree of its agents.

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Lakewood, Colorado Real Estate

One of Denver’s largest suburbs (population 145,00), Lakewood real estate varies: smaller homes in the older part of Lakewood selling in the mid- to high-$100,000s, and larger newer homes in newer subdivisions selling for more than $650,000. The median and average sale price is in the mid-$200,000s. This is a suburb where you’ll be sure to find a home just suited for your needs.

July 2008 Market Statistics

In metro Denver closed sales in July were 5,123 compared with 4,980 in July 2007, a 2.9% gain. The average selling price for the period was $262,224 compared to an average in July 2007 of $289,294, a percentage drop of 9.4. The median sale price for single-family homes was $229,200 compared with $255,000 in July 2007, for a drop of 10.1%. 969 condos and townhomes sold in July 2008, compared with 1,081 for the same period in 2007, a drop of 10.4%. Median prices for condos in July 2008 were $149,000 compared with $158,000 in July 2008, a drop of 5.7%. For single family houses, condos and townhomes the average number of days a house was on the market in July 2008 was 98, and in July 2007 was 95. The list to sale ratio was 97% in 2008 versus 98% in 2007. 25,673 houses are currently on the market and interest rates are still low. It’s a great time to buy in the Denver real estate market, but if you’re a seller you may want to wait till conditions improve.

Check out the current Market Conditions Report for further analysis.

Lakewood, Colorado Recreation

Lakewood is a city of parks and golf courses. Recreational opportunities abound. The largest park, William Frederick Hayden Park, offers urban residents a wilderness feel. Hiking trails, mountain biking, paragliding and horseback riding are available with mountain views at almost every turn. Another Lakewood park, Bear Creek Lake Park, offers water recreation on three lakes, hiking trails, camping (want to rent a Yurt? they’re available in the park’s Indian Paintbrush campground), picnicking and more.

In recent years, like many of Denver’s first-tier suburbs, Lakewood has undergone a renaissance, tearing down the old Villa Italia Shopping Center and reconstructing a new mixed retail, dining, theaters and real estate downtown area, Belmar. Belmar’s New Urbanism follows closely the design of urban infills in nearby Denver’s Lowry and Stapleton and offers residents a rich menu of amenities.

New housing is available from flats to live/work condos. (If you’re interested in seeing a builder home at Belmar you’ll be interested in knowing that the real estate agent commission is built into the price, so not using an agent doesn’t save you anything, but assures that you have your own representation rather than being represented by the builder who wants to get the most $$$ they can from the buyer.) Check here for floor plans, but be sure to call me at 303-587-3509 if you want representation.

Lakewood Shopping and Dining

• The Colorado Mills Mall offers discount shopping, while Belmar, Lakewood’s new downtown, offers (among others) many shops, a day spa, Whole Foods Market and an urban feel.
• Lakewood offers fine dining at one of the Denver metro area’s top restaurants, 240 Union. Chad’s Grill, nearby, is a gathering place and also boasts fine food. At Belmar Emogene Patisserie et Café is a charming breakfast and lunch restaurant, open for dessert into the evening. Home Restaurant, a Mark Tarbell restaurant, is due to open at Belmar in December 2006. A variety of ethnic restaurants, fast food shops and fine dining is available

Lakewood, Colorado Zip Codes

• 80033
• 80123
• 80214
• 80215
• 80225
• 80226
• 80227
• 80228
• 80232
• 80235
• 80236
• 80401

Lakewood Hospitals and Medical Centers

• Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge
• St. Anthony Central

Lakewood, Colorado Weather

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